Shekells Returns As Red Roses Wait On Kabeya

England's patched-up Women's Six Nations squad has been boosted by nan return of centre Jade Shekells.

The 29-year-old, who was portion of nan Great Britain Sevens squad astatine Paris 2024, has missed nan first 3 matches of nan Red Roses' run pinch a thumb injury.

With Tatyana Heard, who started September's World Cup last successful nan centres wrong Meg Jones, ruled retired of nan tourney pinch a ft injury, nan versatile Helena Rowland has deputised astatine 12 successful nan victories complete Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

While Shekells swells England's midfield options, location are wounded issues successful nan backmost 5 of nan scrum.

Flanker Sadia Kabeya, who came disconnected against Wales astatine nan play pinch a thorax and enarthrosis musculus injury, is continuing her rehabilitation alongside nan squad successful nan dream that she tin play a further portion successful nan tournament.

Fellow backmost statement Alex Matthews and 2nd statement Lilli Ives Campion are besides not astatine afloat fittingness arsenic they transportation enarthrosis and knee complaints respectively.

Bristol teen Demelza Short replaced Kabeya disconnected nan chair astatine Ashton Gate and could beryllium group for a longer tally successful nan squad alongside 36-year-old Marlie Packer successful nan backmost row.

England person a lengthy database of absences astatine 2nd statement pinch Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward and Rosie Galligan each pregnant and Morwenna Talling having suffered a tournament-ending limb wounded successful nan opening round.

After a break weekend, nan Red Roses, connected a tally of 36 consecutive Test wins and successful pursuit of an eighth successive Six Nations title, will return connected Italy successful nan adjacent lucifer of nan run successful Parma connected 9 May.

Meanwhile, Canada person announced that they will big England astatine 28,000-capacity BMO Field successful Toronto connected 16 October.

England have already announced a fixture against Canada successful Exeter nan erstwhile period arsenic portion of nan caller WXV Global Series which will beryllium nan teams' first gathering since nan Red Roses won nan World Cup final.